Farewell, Steve Irwin

TWIT is very sad to report the sudden death of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter.  Irwin died yesterday after being stung in the chest by a stingray as he was snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.  He was only 44 years old.  Irwin is survived by his wife Terri, and their two children Bob and Bindi Sue.  Irwin was snorkeling in just three feet of water, and was swimming above the stingray.  A cameraman was videotaping, and experts believe that the stingray felt threatened and stung Irwin with it's tail.  The barb went into Irwin's heart and killed him almost instantly.  The cameraman had video footage of Irwin pulling the barb out of his chest and then dying.  Yes, it was a very sudden and gruesome death, but Irwin died doing something that he loved - something that was his life's work.

We'll never forget seeing Irwin as The Crocodile Hunter on cable - we saw him on the Travel Channel and the Discovery Channel for the past few years.  We were in amazement when he would jump on the back of huge crocodiles or pick up gigantic boa constrictors.  He just didn't seem afraid.  He knew what he was doing, and had the utmost respect for the animals.  He even had his own zoo in Queensland, where he could be found when he wasn't being filmed for one of his TV shows. 

I'm sure alot of people called Steve Irwin crazy for his interaction with the crocodiles and other dangerous animals.  He especially drew criticism two years ago when he was filmed feeding a huge crocodile with his then month-old son Bob in one hand and a huge slab of raw meat in the other hand.  According to the film footage I watched, the baby was far from danger, and I know that Irwin wouldn't have done that if he'd thought the baby would have been the slightest bit in danger.

Crikey, you'll be missed, you big bloke.